Epictetus said, “First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.” I humbly suggest that this speaks to both focus and Commitment. And, I choose to share some thoughts on the former and latter, here and now.
In The Way: A+ Mindset, back in November, I offered up on Acceptance, Accountability, Appreciation and Assertiveness… and my own commitments for the balance of 2024. I am humbly happy to say that I achieved about 85% of identified items, if you will.
A New Race has not been written but a raw working draft is prepared, and the book shall be written in the first half of 2025. AukWords still has a little fleshing out, but the 4 core characters are determined, though not perfected. So, there is work to do, indeed… but it will come, in it’s time.
That said, the Comic is a childhood dream, only now being more fully realized. Still loving my roles as educator, speaker, coach and more… I am seeing 2025 as a space to finally create and offer up AuKwords. You see…
Waaaay back in 1987, I wrote to Charles Schulz (Peanuts), Berkeley Breathed (Bloom County) and Lynn Johnston (For Better or For Worse), and got responses! Each, wonderfully gracious. But Life took me to different spaces (with no regrets), and it is only now that I see the opportunity to dive into the dreams of a kid from the 60s and 70s. While I dabbled for years, I see the dive this Year.
And that said, just today, I shared this on Commitment, and I humbly recommend the read and reflect. In it, I suggested that we each… read and reflect on the Virtue of Commitment, decide on that to which we truly commit, and commit, wholeheartedly. Enter those afore noted words of Epictetus…
“First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.”
For me, in terms of BEING, I would certainly include my journey towards Boxer shape, Strength, and Health. I would also certainly include my Love for teaching, speaking and coaching. I would include my Faith too. And, my handful of trusted and loved Circle. Yes, I would be Baha’i, Boxer, Teacher, Speaker, Coach, and Friend. But, in 2025, the dream of AuKwords holds special meaning for me. I would BE cartoonist.
I do not seek it as revenue stream, but as a stream of conscious and unconscious Creativity… and Service. I see it as a path of caring Excellence, with me purposefully growing in the craft. I see it as the tip of the spear for learning and growth as a “communicreator”. My newest sense of Commitment in 2025 is that of exploring my own hands and heart on artisanship; as Artisan. And that requires a greater Simplicity of focus… narrowing down my attention to what absolutely matters most at this time. And, I will. Indeed, it was Marcus Aurelius who said, “Learn to be indifferent to what makes no difference.” Focusing on what matters most, matters most.
My thought to us all today, is echoed from my blog on Commitment. First, let us read and reflect on the Virtue of Commitment. Second, let us decide on that to which we truly commit to BE. Third, let us commit, wholeheartedly. For now, may we each discern and decide around that to which we will commit ourselves in 2025.
Barry Lewis Green, The Unity Guy with Epic Engage.
CONSIDER
Developing Leadership Character – Ivey Business Journal
“Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education.” ― Martin Luther King Jr.
“Human greatness does not lie in wealth or power, but in character and goodness. People are just people, and all people have faults and shortcomings, but all of us are born with a basic goodness.” ― Anne Frank
“Waste no more time arguing over what a good man should be. Be one.” — Marcus Aurelius
“The betterment of the world can be accomplished through pure and goodly deeds, through commendable and seemly conduct.” — Baha’u’llah